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You may not rebuke an elder, but exhort [him] as a father, younger persons as brothers,
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aged women as mothers, younger ones as sisters—in all purity;
Honoring True Widows
(Ruth 1:1–5)
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honor widows who are really widows;
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and if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety to their own house, and to give back a repayment to the parents, for this is right and acceptable before God.
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And she who is really a widow and desolate, has hoped on God, and remains in the supplications and in the prayers night and day,
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but she given to luxury [while] living has died;
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and charge these things, that they may be blameless;
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and if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of the household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever.
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A widow—do not let her be enrolled under sixty years of age, having been a wife of one husband,
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being testified to in good works: if she brought up children, if she entertained strangers, if she washed holy ones’ feet, if she relieved those in tribulation, if she followed after every good work;
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and be refusing younger widows, for when they may revel against the Christ, they wish to marry,
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having judgment, because they cast away the first faith,
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and also at the same time, they learn [to be] idle, going around the houses; and not only idle, but also tattlers and busybodies, speaking things they should not;
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I intend, therefore, younger ones to marry, to bear children, to be mistress of the house, to give no occasion to the opposer of reviling;
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for some already turned aside after Satan.
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If any believing man or believing woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the assembly be burdened, that it may relieve those [who are] really widows.
Honoring Elders
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Let them, the well-leading elders, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those laboring in word and teaching,
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for the Writing says, “You will not muzzle an ox treading out,” and, “Worthy [is] the workman of his reward.”
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Do not receive an accusation against an elder, except on two or three witnesses.
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Reprove those sinning before all, that the others may also have fear;
A Charge to Timothy
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I fully testify, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the chosen messengers, that you may keep these things, without prejudging, doing nothing by partiality.
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Be quickly laying hands on no one, nor be having fellowship with [the] sins of others; be keeping yourself pure;
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no longer be drinking water, but be using a little wine, because of your stomach and of your frequent sicknesses;
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the sins of certain men are evident beforehand, leading before to judgment, but some also they follow after;
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in like manner the right works are also evident beforehand, and those that are otherwise are not able to be hid.
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